In January 2019, the Tennessee Department of Health, in collaboration with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, established the Tennessee Disaster Mental Health Strike Team through the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains. The strike team is a cadre of highly trained chaplains, mental health professionals, and peer support who serve across the state with two primary purposes.
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To provide initial mental health triage, mental health first aid, and crisis intervention for citizens and emergency responders following traumatic events and major disasters.
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To provide a timely initial referral to licensed mental health care professionals, including immediate emergency referrals when appropriate.
Our Services
Through our multi-component stress management plan, we help mitigate the impact of traumatic stress through Acute Incident Assistance and Post Incident Support.
Acute Incident Assistance
Critical incident stress management begins at the scene through onsite support and demobilization. We provide support to individuals, victims, and survivors who are showing obvious signs of stress as well as providing advice and counsel for agency staff and leadership.
Post-Incident Support
Peer-to-Peer Support
Team members provide trained supportive listening and offer assistance in developing and maintaining coping mechanisms. These meetings are typically one-on-one and completed in a location comfortable to the individual. The goal is to foster natural resiliency through stabilization, symptom reduction, and return to adaptive functioning (or helping to facilitate access to continued care).
Defusing
A defusing is done the day of the incident before the person(s) has a chance to sleep. The defusing is designed to assure the person/people involved that their feelings are normal, tells them what symptoms to watch for over the short term and to offer them a lifeline in the form of a telephone number where they can reach someone who they can talk to. Defusings are limited only to individuals directly involved in the incident and are often done informally, sometimes at the scene.
Debriefing
A debriefing is normally done within 72 hours of the incident and gives the individual or group the opportunity to talk about their experience, how it has affected them, brainstorm coping mechanisms, identify individuals at risk, and inform the individual or group about services available to them in their community. Debriefings are limited only to individuals directly involved in the incident and include a 7-phase, structured group discussion with an assigned CISM team.
Referral
If critical incident stress levels require professional assistance, the TCRN Team provides additional resources and referrals for people interested in professional help.
Please Note: This team in no way displaces or replaces local mental health services. However, this team is highly trained in mental health screening, mental health first aid, crisis intervention, and most importantly, effective referral.
The Strike Team is activated by calling
1-800-792-1033. The team can be dispatched 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with team members across the state.
When calling please provide the following information:
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When and where did the incident occur?
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A brief description of the incident.
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How many people and groups were involved?
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What symptoms of stress are being experienced?
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Have the personnel involved requested help?
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Name and phone number of a point of contact for follow up.
The following backgrounds are invited to be part of this elite team:
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Licensed Mental Health Professionals
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Licensed Emergency Medical Professionals
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Commission Certified Firefighter Professionals
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POST Certified Law Enforcement Professionals
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TARS Certified Rescue Professionals
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Licensed Medical Care Professionals
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Board Certified Chaplain Professionals
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Certified Education Professionals
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Crisis Intervention Specialists
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Other professionals that will add to the strength of the team